Caramelized Shallot and Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with fragrant lemongrass and caramelized shallots, delivering a savory and aromatic Vietnamese-inspired dish. This Vietnamese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, shallots, lemongrass stalk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
• 4 medium, thinly sliced shallots
• 1, finely minced lemongrass stalk
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2, chopped for garnish green onions
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red chili flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced shallots and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Increase heat to medium-high and add the 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin to the skillet, searing for 2-3 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to coat the beef and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Return the caramelized shallots to the skillet and toss together for 30 seconds to combine flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped green onions and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.